The Good Shepherd Convent on Cork's northside was attacked by an arsonist.

The building was once a Magdalene Laundry and in recent years it was hoped the building would be transformed into a flat complex. However, the developer was struck by the recession and KPMG is now in control of the building.

Cork City manager Tim Lucey said the future of the site could not be decided until a range of structural assessments were considered.

"Works are under way to clear the site of overgrown vegetation, and the process of assessing the condition of the building is under way," said Mr Lucey.